Madonna preparing to direct third film

(Relaxnews) – The pop icon plans to return to filmmaking with “Adé: A Love Story,” a drama about two star-crossed lovers.

After “Filth and Wisdom” (2008) and “W.E.” (2011), Madonna plans to helm a film adapted from Rebecca Walker’s partially autobiographical novel, which was published in the US last fall. The Hollywood Reporter broke the news.

“Adé: A Love Story” focuses on Farida, a biracial American student traveling through Africa with a feminist friend. On an island off the coast of Kenya, she falls in love with a Muslim man and makes plans to marry him. The two are ultimately separated by forces beyond their control, including malaria and a civil war.

No production dates have been announced for the feature, which will be produced by author Rebecca Walker and by Bruce Cohen, who was among the producers of “American Beauty,” “Milk” and “Silver Linings Playbook.”